Zany jangle rocker Mac DeMarco has just announced his third record, This Old Dog, to be released on May 5 on Captured Tracks, and if the first two singles, the title track and My Old Man, are any indication, he’s changing directions.

Gentle crooning isn’t new for the Edmonton-raised musician, who’s now living in Los Angeles, but the soft acoustic-guitar strumming and whooshes of synth certainly are. No electric guitars to be found, and the lyrics – “Oh no, looks like I’m seeing more of my old man in me” – are unusually personal for a musician known for his goofy antics and humour.

“This is my acoustic album,” says DeMarco in a press release, “but it’s not really an acoustic album at all. That’s just what it feels like, mostly. I’m Italian, so I guess this is an Italian rock record.”

Built primarily with acoustic guitar, synths and drum machines, This Old Dog draws inspiration from DeMarco’s move to L.A., which caused him to take some breathing time between albums. (His acclaimed Salad Days came out in 2014.) No word yet on the makeup of the live band, but the news of the upcoming album comes with a tour announcement: the Toronto concert is part of an extensive North American and European tour that includes several Coachella dates.

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May 13 at the Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth), 7 pm, with Tonstartssbandht. $37-$47. On sale Friday (February 3) at 10 am. ticketmaster.ca.